Daily Morning Ab Exercises

Unless you roll out of bed and out the door every morning only stopping to shower before you head off to work, you have a little bit of time on your hands. Morning is the perfect space to fit in some ab exercises, before your day gets too busy. Carve 10 to 15 minutes out of your morning schedule before you eat breakfast for daily ab exercises. Plan on exercising the four different muscles which make up the abs -- the rectus abdominis, the internal and external obliques and the transversus -- independently and together, to create a strong core.

Double-Leg Abdominal Press

Almost isometric in nature, the Double-leg Abdominal Press gets deep into your belly to work the transversus muscle, which wraps horizontally under the obliques and your six-pack muscle, the rectus abdominis. Lie on the floor and lengthen your back by tipping your tailbone up. Bend both your knees and lift your feet off the floor until your thighs are perpendicular to the floor. Place your hands on your knees and contract your abs. At the same time, try to push your knees away with your hands, while pulling your knees toward you, using the strength of your abs. Take three breaths and then release. Repeat up to five times.

Yogic Crunch

This variation of the crunch comes from the yogic tradition where poses are sometimes held to derive the most benefit. Instead of many repetitions, you’ll only perform three for this ab exercise that targets your rectus abdominis. Lie on your back on a yoga mat or rug. Raise your feet off the floor and bend your knees. Splay your knees out to the sides and bring the soles, or edges of your feet together. Bring your knees as close as you can to your shoulders and, on an exhale, raise your head and shoulders and reach through your legs with your arms. Take five long breaths and release your head and shoulders back to the floor. Repeat twice more.

Leg Lifts for the Obliques

The obliques are the ab muscles, which -- when strong -- allow you to bend and twist with ease. Lie on your back on the floor. Point your toes away from you and extend your arms behind your head. Keep your head on the floor at all times. Exhale and lift your right leg and left arm at the same time. Touch your right foot with your left hand; if not, bring it as close as you can. Inhale and release back to your starting position. Perform the maneuver with your left leg and right hand. Repeat 15 times on both sides.

Radiating Yoga Abs Workout

Prepare to move in this dynamic morning ab exercise that targets your whole core. Lie down on your back on a mat or rug. Bring your legs and feet together and bend your knees. Position your feet close to your buttocks and, on an inhale, raise your hips toward the ceiling for Bridge pose. Exhale, then on your next inhale lift your right leg perpendicular to the floor. Use your hands for support underneath your buttocks, or lay your arms along the floor beside you. Exhale and lower your right leg and your torso back to the mat. This time, instead, pausing in Bridge, inhale and press into the mat as you lift your torso and right leg into the air. Continue twice more on your right side, then repeat the whole maneuver on your left.